I’m pretty sure the calendar on the wall says it’s the 21st century, but I’m writing this by candlelight, wrapped in my knitted shawl. I considered spinning for a while, but the candlelight wasn’t quite enough to be comfortable, although I could knit perfectly well if I needed to.

As you may have gathered, we have no electricity. It’s particularly fun this time around since my niece is here for a visit. As she said, “It’s interesting experiencing a power outage in someone else’s house.” The lights went out at 9:00–a pretty convenient time, all in all. Things like dinner and showers were already done, the dishwasher had run; all we were doing was watching television. And yet, it was only an hour or so before bedtime, so if the house were to get too cold, we could all just turn in early. I mean, sure, if it had happened a little earlier, we could have gotten out the Scrabble board and played a game, but . . . no real complaints. I wasn’t even in the middle of a pi-shawl row of lace knitting, but was working on my socks instead. According to the power company’s emergency number, power is due to come back around 3:00 am . . . so, we’re hoping things will be normal for breakfast.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. If there’s no electricity, how on earth is Debbie writing a blog entry? Ah, the miracles of modern science and laptop batteries! It’s 10:00 right now, as I write. I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to just save this as a Word doc and post it in the morning, or if I’ll try getting online through the buzz-hiss of dial-up . . . but yes, the entry is being written to the gentle accompaniment of softly melting candle wax. And really, isn’t that one of the most soothing scents? Just ordinary wax candles? (Maybe a vanilla scented one, but nothing else!) Love that… it’s like the essence of birthdays and Christmases all rolled up in a tiny circle of warmth.

When I was in college, my senior year, I used to read by candle light just before going to bed–so I wouldn’t have to get up to turn off the ceiling light. Every night, I’d close my eyes to that last, tiny ember and a whiff of wax and wick . . . a nice, last, soothing presence before going to sleep.

And so, now, that’s where I’m going. If I can get a candle propped high enough on my bedside bookcase, that’s exactly what I’ll be doing tonight. G’night!

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